I Like Eli

Well, of course I like my Eli, that goes without saying. Who could help but love this sweet grin? But the Eli I'm referring to in my post title is Eli Manning--as in quarterback for the champions of Super Bowl 42. About halfway through the season I noticed how much scrutiny the poor guy was under by all of the sports commentators on ESPN (and everywhere else, really), and I declared that I was pulling for him. I mean, it's gotta be rough enough being known the "little brother" of stand-out quarterback, Peyton Manning (who, by the way, I also like a whole lot) without having to be constantly reviewed as "lacking" by anyone who matters in sports. Add to that a former teammate who gave an interview stating that Eli was comical and awkward as a leader, and you've got a great Cinderella story when the guy comes back to upset one of the greatest football teams in the history of the game (I'm referring to the now 18-1, formerly perfect '07-08 New England Patriots, who just about everyone expected to win the Super Bowl with no trouble).

Now I'll admit, about 80% of my initial liking of Eli Manning had to do with the fact that he has a great name...but the more I watched him, the better I liked him, and by the time the Super Bowl rolled around, I was really pulling for him. After having watched it, I can honestly say that he didn't' disappoint. It was, in my opinion the best Super Bowl I've ever watched, and the icing on the cake was watching all those formerly critical commentators on ESPN eat crow. I predict an avalanche of Peyton/Eli sibling rivalry commercials in '08. (Oh, and by the way, the sleeping pictures of Eli don't really have anything to do with this post, but I figured I'd throw something cute in for the non-sports-enthusiasts)

Speaking of football, I did a fun cake for a Super Bowl birthday party this weekend, so I just had to share.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled (non-sports-inclusive) blog. (Oh, and for the record...I like Norah too)

One Movie We WONT Be Seeing This Holiday Season

I received an email from a good friend this morning, dismissing a new movie that, prior to this morning, I was eagerly anticipating. The movie is called "The Golden Compass" and has all the visual lures of "The Chronicles of Narnia", so I was waiting for it's release with baited breath. It stars Nicole Kidman, and looks to be extremely well made with excellent cinematography, special effects, and musical score, so naturally it will be receiving lots of press. I have seen the previews and they impacted me to the point of leaning over to whisper to the person at my right--"Oh, that looks great! I can't wait to see it!"

So, why are the Robinson's now boycotting this intriguing, new movie? It is based on a trilogy of books ("His Dark Materials") written by a self-proclaimed atheist, who calls his books an "attack on religion". The author also claims that it is his intent that children will see the movie and want to read the books, which will, he hopes kill their religious beliefs. In the final book of the trilogy, "The Amber Spyglass", a girl and boy child, depicting Adam and Eve work together to "kill a senile God so that everyone may do as they please".

As many of you know, Jason and I loved they Harry Potter series, which might be, to some Christians as offensive, as the trilogy I've mentioned above. However, I see several stark differences. For one, J.K. Rowling is not an atheist, and has never made any claims that she had any sinister agenda to squelch the religious beliefs of young children. And secondly, her books maintain several strong Christian themes and symbolisms which are consistant throughout the entire series.

At any rate, for those who, like myself, enjoy a good, epic movie taken from the rich landscape of a children's book series, you might want to do a little reading before you make your decision to pay to see (or especially to take your children to see) "The Golden Compass" this holiday season.

For the full story on the movie, book series, and author, click here.